30 March 2017

Book Review: The Tales of Beedle the Bard, J.K. Rowling

"The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione Granger’s new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump,” and of course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” But not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter."

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is yet another brilliant addition to the Harry Potter universe. It's a very short collection of five wizarding fairy tales that are all somewhat familiar from the brief mentions in the original series. There is also some additional commentary by Dumbledore, so the book is written in a similar fashion to the other books in the Hogwarts Library mini-series.

This book just adds more depth to the Wizarding World and it always amazes me just how much thought J.K. Rowling has put into the Harry Potter series. I'm not sure if I have a favourite story as they're all wonderful in their own way. Plus, they all have fantastic messages behind them. I also loved the extra tidbits of Wizarding World history that have been incorporated into Dumbledore's commentary. I just need to know everything there is to know about the Wizarding World. My only negative is that I wish there were more Tales of Beedle the Bard!

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a very short book so there is only so much I can say in this review. In short, I'd definitely recommend buying a copy to everyone. Not only does the profits go towards a fantastic charity, but it's also a beautiful book to have sitting on your bookshelf. Rowling's illustrations are gorgeous.